News

Darwen MP welcomes new Edgworth bus service

DARWEN’S MP has welcomed a new bus service linking Edgworth and Chapeltown to Bury and Bolton.

The wheelchair-accessible service, run by Travel Assist, launched this week after a campaign by My Berry and local councillors following bus provider Arriva’s decision to axe a service that went through the village.

The campaign saw 700 people sign a petition, hundreds of leaflets and posters delivered and displayed, and a survey of the area.

The TA01 service (Darwen-Edgworth-Bolton) runs on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and TA02 (Darwen-Edgworth-Bury) runs on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Mr Berry said: “I am thrilled that Travel Assist was able to step in and not only provide a better service to Bolton but also a brand new bus to Bury.

“Thank you to everyone who helped with the campaign, whether you signed the petition, filled in the survey, put up a poster or helped deliver leaflets.”

Last week, Blackburn with Darwen Council leader Kate Hollern called on the Government to help fund a full-time service.

The council had subsidised Darwen Coaches to extend its service from Darwen to Edgworth to go as far as Bromley Cross, where passengers could catch a connection to Bolton. But the funding will run out in March once the Government’s fundign to local councils is cut.

Public meetings will take place at the Barlow Institute on Thursday, at 2pm and 7.30pm.